popular articles

London and Beijing Strengthen Energy Dialogue Despite Tensions

UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband met Chinese officials in Beijing to discuss energy cooperation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, despite disagreements over Hong Kong, forced labour, and the war in Ukraine.

Please share:

The UK government is seeking to deepen its relationship with China in the energy sector while maintaining a critical stance on several sensitive diplomatic issues. In this context, Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Minister, met with the Director of the China National Energy Administration in Beijing as part of the UK-China Energy Dialogue. London views this dialogue as the first of a series of regular discussions aimed at accelerating the energy transition and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

A Strategic Energy Dialogue

The UK and China occupy contrasting positions on the global energy market. While London aims for a fully decarbonised economy by 2050, Beijing plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, while still relying heavily on coal. According to official data published in February, China’s greenhouse gas emissions rose slightly in 2024, despite the country recording a record increase in renewable energy. This reality raises questions about China’s ability to meet its international climate commitments.

Ongoing Divergences

Beyond energy issues, Ed Miliband addressed sensitive diplomatic topics, including the situation in Hong Kong, the treatment of Uighurs, and forced labour in supply chains. London has also expressed concerns about China’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has never condemned. Despite these divergences, the UK government insists on the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with China on climate and energy challenges.

Towards Strengthened Exchanges

The UK Minister announced his intention to invite Chinese representatives to London later this year to continue the discussions. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to strengthen the UK’s influence in international energy cooperation. London aims to balance its economic and diplomatic interests while consolidating its role in the global energy transition.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

As Russian gas deliveries via Nord Stream have ceased, Europe is exploring possible solutions to repurpose or replace this major infrastructure within a complex energy transition and diversification of supply sources.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the sharing of rare earth resources in Ukraine on Tuesday, including energy production plants and territories rich in raw materials. These resources are at the heart of the ceasefire negotiations.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the sharing of rare earth resources in Ukraine on Tuesday, including energy production plants and territories rich in raw materials. These resources are at the heart of the ceasefire negotiations.
The European Union has announced a €4.7 billion investment to support South Africa’s energy transition. This initiative is part of a broader strategy of economic cooperation and strategic repositioning of international partners.
The European Union has announced a €4.7 billion investment to support South Africa’s energy transition. This initiative is part of a broader strategy of economic cooperation and strategic repositioning of international partners.
American and Vietnamese companies have signed several commercial agreements totaling $4.15 billion, primarily in the energy and aviation sectors, aiming to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries.
American and Vietnamese companies have signed several commercial agreements totaling $4.15 billion, primarily in the energy and aviation sectors, aiming to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro announced an agreement to expand their cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. This initiative comes amid increased U.S. sanctions against Caracas.
A tripartite meeting between China, Russia and Iran will be held in Beijing to address the Iranian nuclear dossier as tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme continue to rise.
A tripartite meeting between China, Russia and Iran will be held in Beijing to address the Iranian nuclear dossier as tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme continue to rise.
Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, reaffirmed his commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region as tensions escalate over offshore oil resources.
Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, reaffirmed his commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region as tensions escalate over offshore oil resources.
Donald Trump applies his negotiation methods to the energy sector, leveraging tariffs and targeted statements to influence markets and trading partners. Behind these decisions lies an ambiguous commercial strategy blending bluff and concrete actions.
Donald Trump applies his negotiation methods to the energy sector, leveraging tariffs and targeted statements to influence markets and trading partners. Behind these decisions lies an ambiguous commercial strategy blending bluff and concrete actions.
Newcleo and Danieli have signed a strategic agreement to integrate advanced nuclear reactors into steel production processes, aiming to eliminate fossil fuel use amid rising energy costs in Europe's industrial sectors.
The U.S. Secretary of Energy has announced a strategic shift towards fossil fuels, abandoning several climate-related policies from the previous administration, creating uncertainty among energy professionals about long-term market stability.
The U.S. Secretary of Energy has announced a strategic shift towards fossil fuels, abandoning several climate-related policies from the previous administration, creating uncertainty among energy professionals about long-term market stability.
The United States has decided not to renew Iraq’s exemption, granted since 2018, allowing Baghdad to import electricity from Iran despite U.S. sanctions. This measure increases pressure on Iraq, whose energy supply largely depends on its neighbour.
The United States has decided not to renew Iraq’s exemption, granted since 2018, allowing Baghdad to import electricity from Iran despite U.S. sanctions. This measure increases pressure on Iraq, whose energy supply largely depends on its neighbour.
The United Kingdom has removed 24 Syrian entities from its sanctions list, including the Central Bank, allowing for the resumption of financial and commercial activities. This decision forms part of a broader trend of easing restrictions on Syria.
The United Kingdom has removed 24 Syrian entities from its sanctions list, including the Central Bank, allowing for the resumption of financial and commercial activities. This decision forms part of a broader trend of easing restrictions on Syria.
Ukraine and the United States have signed a framework agreement aimed at jointly exploiting Ukraine’s mineral resources, including rare earth elements, oil, and natural gas. The agreement comes amid the ongoing war with Russia and seeks to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations.
Quebec has signed a letter of intent with the Netherlands to strengthen their cooperation on critical and strategic minerals, aiming to diversify markets and attract new investments.
Quebec has signed a letter of intent with the Netherlands to strengthen their cooperation on critical and strategic minerals, aiming to diversify markets and attract new investments.
China has announced new fiscal measures in response to the increase in US customs duties, excluding energy products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from these measures.
China has announced new fiscal measures in response to the increase in US customs duties, excluding energy products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from these measures.
Guyana has expressed its protest following the incursion of a Venezuelan military ship into its waters near an oil block. The incident occurs amidst ongoing territorial tensions between the two nations.
Guyana has expressed its protest following the incursion of a Venezuelan military ship into its waters near an oil block. The incident occurs amidst ongoing territorial tensions between the two nations.
Russia has once again accused Ukraine of attacking the TurkStream pipeline with drones, marking the second attack in two months aimed at disrupting Russian gas deliveries to Europe.
Washington has granted a 30-day delay before imposing sanctions on NIS, Serbia's largest oil and gas company, majority-controlled by Russian Gazprom, as announced by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Washington has granted a 30-day delay before imposing sanctions on NIS, Serbia's largest oil and gas company, majority-controlled by Russian Gazprom, as announced by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
France has been negotiating with Ukraine since October to secure access to strategic raw materials necessary for its defence industry. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify supply sources.
France has been negotiating with Ukraine since October to secure access to strategic raw materials necessary for its defence industry. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify supply sources.
On 22 February, Gabon launched the first phase of its electricity interconnection project with Equatorial Guinea, aiming to import 10 MW of electricity for several Gabonese localities.
On 22 February, Gabon launched the first phase of its electricity interconnection project with Equatorial Guinea, aiming to import 10 MW of electricity for several Gabonese localities.
The U.S. government announced new sanctions targeting 22 individuals, companies, and 13 vessels accused of circumventing sanctions on Iranian oil, as part of its "maximum pressure" policy.
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have interconnected their power grids, allowing the immediate import of 3 megawatts to supply northern Gabon, which has been facing persistent shortages.
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have interconnected their power grids, allowing the immediate import of 3 megawatts to supply northern Gabon, which has been facing persistent shortages.
Amid rising Russian threats, Norway and the UK will enhance their collaboration to safeguard their vital underwater infrastructure.
Amid rising Russian threats, Norway and the UK will enhance their collaboration to safeguard their vital underwater infrastructure.
A drone strike in Russia has forced the shutdown of a key pumping station on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline, temporarily reducing its capacity to transport Kazakh oil to Europe. The incident comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
A drone strike in Russia has forced the shutdown of a key pumping station on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline, temporarily reducing its capacity to transport Kazakh oil to Europe. The incident comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

Advertising